Should I Ski or Snowboard?

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Assess the Pros and Cons Before Making A Decision

Suppose you’ve found yourself in a dream of dry, fluffy snow blowing up into your face as you descend a mountain. Just when you think you're going to choke, you rise out of the snow like a dolphin arcing out of the ocean. That’s when you wake up.

You know you must start skiing or snowboarding as soon as possible, but the age-old question arises: which should I choose? Considering that it could be a lifelong passion, it’s not a question to be taken lightly.

You're not alone if you're torn between hitting the slopes on skis or a snowboard. Both sports offer unique experiences and challenges, so how do you decide which is right for you? Stick around as we explore the differences between skiing and snowboarding to help you make an informed decision. There’s no right or wrong answer, but there are plenty of points to consider before committing.

Skiing or snowboarding?. Should I Ski or Snowboard?
Skiing or snowboarding?

The Pros of Snowboarding

While snowboarding is younger than skiing, it’s certainly not inferior; snowboarding outshines skiing in several categories.

First, snowboarding in powder snow is, if not better, much easier than on skis. In fact, we need to credit the snowboard revolution in the eighties and nineties for changing the game in terms of powder skiing. Snowboards are very wide, which allows them to float on top of the snow rather than sink beneath it.

Many folks converted in those early days because slashing and shredding through untracked snow on a board was much more fun than on skis. Skiers, condemned to long, straight skis, would sink to the bottom of the snow and required monumental amounts of energy to make turns. In those days, skiers looked positively dorky compared to snowboarders.

Snowboarding in deep powder. Should I Ski or Snowboard?
Snowboarding in deep powder

However, snowboarders’ advantage in the powder has narrowed in recent years. Beginning in the late nineties, the ski industry began to take a cue from snowboarding, which was rapidly cutting into its market share. The leading snowboarders showed extraordinary style on the slopes, and skiing wasn’t evolving fast enough. Over the following decade, skis became much broader, and powder skiing became accessible to a much larger audience than before. Only expert skiers could manage deep powder in the eighties and nineties, but now, even intermediates can experience the euphoria of getting fresh tracks.

In addition to powder, snowboards are also easier to manage in off-piste terrain. Having just two edges instead of four means fewer tools to keep under control, and a board absorbs the snow's inconsistencies more easily than skis.

Another advantage of snowboards is the comfort. Snowboard boots are supremely comfortable, like a broken-in pair of hiking boots. You can walk all around, eat lunch, ride lifts, and not worry about your feet. Meanwhile, skiers are constantly adjusting their boots, loosening them on the lift and tightening them before the descent. Some take their boots off for lunch, and only the hardiest (or most foolhardy) consider driving. Older skiers tend to develop growths on their feet known as 6th toes, which sometimes have to be surgically operated on. Skiers often spend inordinate amounts of money getting their boots custom-fitted to avoid such grim outcomes.

Snowboarders are subject to fewer knee injuries than skiers but far more wrist, elbow, arm, and shoulder injuries. They also don’t lose their boards when they fall the way skiers do, which can save them the hassle of chasing after runaway equipment. Sometimes, skis lost in deep powder are never recovered, which can cost thousands of dollars.

From a lifestyle perspective, snowboarding tends to represent a slightly more countercultural or rebellious spirit than skiing. This partly stems from the fact that, for years, they were banned from resorts around the world as ski areas and wealthy skiers fought back against the newcomers. The luxurious country-club world of skiing doesn’t translate as well to snowboarding, which probably appeals to most younger people.

Snowboarders revolutionized the “free-style” culture that has become popular in snow sports. Should I Ski or Snowboard?
Snowboarders revolutionized the “free-style” culture that has become popular in snow sports. www.dmitrimarkine.com, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Pros of Skiing

Now then. It’s clear that skiers make up the majority of denizens on the slopes at any given mountain at any given time. Often, the ratio is 4 to 1 or even higher in favor of skiers. Why is this? Is skiing better than snowboarding, or is there some other reason?

There are several reasons skiing is more popular than snowboarding at resorts. First, skiing is better for the terrain most people spend most of their time on: groomed trails. Skis are ideal for the groomers that occupy 95% of ski resort clientele. Skiing is technical; carving and seeking the perfect turn are part of the thrill. As it turns out, having four edges instead of two is better for the hard, chalky snow found on groomers. Moreover, skiers are better positioned to look around in all directions, which is essential on crowded pistes.

Lindsay Vonn using her edge to carve in the FIS World Cup Super G. Mastering the perfect turn is a lifetime’s pursuit in skiing. Should I Ski or Snowboard?
Lindsay Vonn using her edge to carve in the FIS World Cup Super G. Mastering the perfect turn is a lifetime’s pursuit in skiing

Another important advantage for skiers is the ability to easily traverse over flat sections of the mountain. While many people think Alta Ski Area famously restricts snowboarders due to some inherent bias, those who have actually skied there understand that it’s because the mountain has too many traverses. Snowboarders would simply be unable to navigate the terrain, causing a nightmare for ski patrol and resulting in boot tracks all over the mountain. Considering the area gets so much snow, snowboarders would be trapped, unable to move even if they remove their boards. It’s certainly not because Alta is a pretentious ski area; it’s much less ritzy than the neighboring Snowbird, Park City, or any number of other resorts in the area. Deer Valley, however, also restricts snowboarders precisely because the wealthy clientele doesn’t want them there.

The ability to traverse makes skis easier (not necessarily better) for backcountry stashes and big-mountain objectives. However, some snowboarders also carry poles to assist with traversing.

Skiers can ski powder faster and more efficiently with the invention of fat skis. Should I Ski or Snowboard?
Skiers can ski powder faster and more efficiently with the invention of fat skis

Other Factors to Consider

Now then. There are several more aspects to consider when making a decision. For example, what sports you may already have learned. Are you into surfing or skateboarding? Then go for snowboarding, as you’ll already have experience with the sideways stance. Meanwhile, cyclists and ice skaters will likely have an easier time learning how to ski as they are accustomed to the forward-facing motion.

An old adage states, “Snowboarding is harder to learn but easier to master. Skiing is easier to learn but harder to master.” What’s the meaning behind this cryptic message?

Essentially, snowboarders will spend their first few days almost entirely on their butt. Anyone who has tried to learn or watched someone try to learn how to snowboard will understand this. It’s such a foreign body position that it's hard for beginners to balance. Skiing, on the other hand, is essentially similar to standing on two feet. On their first day, beginners can often progress to skiing intermediate slopes without falling. With skiing, you can cheat with a snowplow and still get down the mountain.

Many people start skiing and transition to snowboarding later. For children under the age of eight, snowboarding is too tricky. Many kids can start learning to ski at two or three, locked into their ski boots and attached to their parents. It’s just not possible to do this with snowboarding. Balancing, traversing, loading lifts, stopping, and getting up after a fall are too complicated. Moreover, snowboarding requires the ability to differentiate right from left and transfer weight from the heel to toe side. For these reasons, most ski schools won’t offer snowboarding lessons to children younger than about eight, although you may be able to start teaching them yourself a bit younger.

Speaking of loading lifts, it’s much more of a pain for snowboarders. Snowboarders have to undo a boot from their bindings to load a chair and do it back up at the top of the mountain. It’s one of the reasons skiers are often faster than snowboarders at lapping chairs.

Terrain Parks

Ok. Let’s talk about terrain parks. Snowboarders basically invented this part of the mountain when doing tricks on 210 cm straight skis was nearly impossible. Today, both skiers and snowboarders frequent the park and can do equally incredible tricks. However, throwing tricks on a snowboard is easier because managing just one board in the air is far simpler than two. Snowboarders have a great big landing pad under their feet and are attached to their boards; they don’t have to worry about releasing from their bindings. If you want to become a park rat, the path may be easier as a snowboarder.

Tricks like a 360 are easier on a snowboard. Should I Ski or Snowboard?
Tricks like a 360 are easier on a snowboard

Conclusion

In conclusion, skiing is likely the best option for the greatest number of people, which is why there are more skiers than snowboarders on the mountain.

That’s not to say that skiing is better than snowboarding; each has its own strengths and weaknesses. But let’s face it; most skiers head to the slopes for one or two weeks a year to ski on groomed pistes. With minimal time to practice, skiing is superior because it allows you to have an enjoyable time as a beginner instead of struggling your way through the first few weeks.

Moreover, skiing is ideal for groomed slopes because, more so than snowboarding, the art of the perfect turn defines the sport. Learning to carve and mastering the technique is a lifelong pursuit with skiing, whereas the same cannot be said for snowboarding. Nevertheless, boarders can progress to a lifetime of backcountry powder and freestyle with far greater ease than skiers.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your preferences, learning style, and comfort level. So grab some gear, hit the slopes, and see which sport speaks to your soul.

Personally, skiing is my cup of tea. But it doesn’t have to be yours. Photo: Robbe Corne. Should I Ski or Snowboard?
Personally, skiing is my cup of tea. But it doesn’t have to be yours. Photo: Robbe Corne

Using the PeakVisor App

Interested in skiing? Check out the PeakVisor App. PeakVisor has been a leader in the augmented reality 3D mapping space for the better part of a decade. We’re the product of nearly a decade of effort from a small software studio smack dab in the middle of the Alps. Our detailed 3D maps are the perfect tool for hiking, biking, alpinism, and, most notably in the context of this article, skiing!

Fat ski day…Photo: Anna Lochhead. Why Fat Skis Are Bad For Knees
Fat ski day…Photo: Anna Lochhead. Why Fat Skis Are Bad For Knees

PeakVisor Features

In addition to the visually stunning maps, PeakVisor's advantage is its variety of tools for the backcountry:

  • Thousands of ski touring routes throughout North America and Europe.
  • Slope angles to help evaluate avalanche terrain.
  • Mountain hut schedules and contact info save the time and hassle of digging them up separately.
  • The route finder feature generates a route for any location on the map. You can tap on the route to view it in more detail, including max and average slope angle, length, and elevation gain.
  • Up-to-date snow depth readings from weather stations around the world.
  • A point weather forecast for any tap-able location on the map, tailored to the exact GPS location to account for local variations in elevation, aspect, etc., that are standard in the mountains.
  • You can use our Ski Touring Map on your desktop to create GPX files for routes to follow later in the app.
PeakVisor has been a leader in the augmented reality 3D mapping space for the better part of a decade
Mountain Huts.
PeakVisor has been a leader in the augmented reality 3D mapping space for the better part of a decade
Route finding.
PeakVisor has been a leader in the augmented reality 3D mapping space for the better part of a decade
Viewing a route.
PeakVisor has been a leader in the augmented reality 3D mapping space for the better part of a decade
Snow depth readings.
PeakVisor has been a leader in the augmented reality 3D mapping space for the better part of a decade
Point forecasts.
PeakVisor has been a leader in the augmented reality 3D mapping space for the better part of a decade
Mountain hut info.
PeakVisor has been a leader in the augmented reality 3D mapping space for the better part of a decade
Mountain info.
PeakVisor has been a leader in the augmented reality 3D mapping space for the better part of a decade
Peakbagging lists.
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